Lion Salt Works, Cheshire:

Salt production had been important to Cheshire since Roman times. By the 19th century, the area was responsible for producing 86 per cent of the nation's salt however by 1986, the Lion Salt Works had ceased operations. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it is the UK's last surviving open pan salt works and one of only three left in the world. The Lion Salt Works Trust has worked tirelessly to preserve this site of industrial historic importance and have a Conservation Plan in place to help them achieve this. In April 2009 Cheshire West and Chester Council took ownership of the site to begin phased restoration works in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lion Salt Works Trust.

William Anelay was called in to carry out the initial enabling works so that the main conservation/restoration can commence at a later date.  This involved making the site safe by dismantling unsteady structures and making sure that each of the elements were recorded and securely stored ready, where possible, for reuse. Now that the enabling works are completed, the design team will have safe access to assess the full extent of the restoration work required to safeguard this historic site.

www.lionsaltworks.blogspot.com.

Photograph courtesy of Eddie Robinson. Wincham Aerial Photography